Mission

The primary purpose of NATWC is to support the establishment and continuation of therapeutic wilderness camping organizations; with the attendant responsibility to educate the public as to the existence of such organizations and their success in helping troubled young people change their lives for the better.

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NATWC is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping others. Donations are greatly appreciated.

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Membership

By Micah Wheat | July 14, 2009

Now is a great time to become a NATWC Member Program!

imageYou may now purchase your half year membership with NATWC. The membership cost is only $100 at this time of the year. This is half of the membership fee for a full year. Benefits will remain the same for the rest of the calendar year and member programs are encouraged to make your reservations for the 2009 National Conference now!

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Seasonal Programming

By Micah Wheat | June 9, 2009

As we move towards the summer solstice, program staff are preparing the waterfronts, climbing walls, ropes courses, and other outdoor activities that NATWC encourages programs to use to elicit the change that families want their child to go through. Continue reading »

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Power of Faith Over Hope

By Micah Wheat | May 11, 2009

A chance that something desirable will happen or be possible. This is one definition of hope. This seems very stagnant to me though. I have always leaned towards hope as an idle though and not an action. I enjoy the verb faith, because faith is action. I am a big believer that if people are hoping for something, that it won’t happen. But if that same group of people put their faith and energy into that idea, that it will come true. This is related to all of the NATWC Member Programs and how the parents of the students enrolled in those program had faith in their child, the staff, and the chance of change. Continue reading »

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Spring Fling

By Micah Wheat | April 21, 2009

Stone Mountain School is a hybrid program. We typically run adventure trips every weekend, while being on property on the weekdays. When the year round academics takes a break, we run week long trips through out the South East. This past week, we opted out of long trips and planned a week long Spring Fling on campus. Our staff put together an incredible experience for the students here, and with out their knowledge we would not be as succesfull as we are. Continue reading »

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NATWC Members – Standing Stronger Together

By Linda Tatsapaugh | March 31, 2009

Everyone with a pulse is well familiar with the current economic crisis. We know that there are few people in the world unaffected in at least indirect ways. That includes both families in need and the programs that can help them.

How does a high-quality therapeutic program survive these times without compromising services? When parents are more hesitant or less able to spend family savings on expensive help for their children in crisis, and state and local budgets are seeing drastic cuts, this is a scary time for even the strongest program.

There is strength in numbers, and joining an organization of like-minded programs such as NATWC is a great way to find that power. NATWC members enjoy several crucial benefits, including exposure on the website, a forum for discussing real-time issues, and shared wisdom among members. The founders came together especially to be able to share information and solve common difficulties, which often appeared insurmountable to an individual program.

Whether it is creative stretches of the marketing budget, inexpensive alternatives in programming, or advice on how to lobby officials for continued support of important community services, NATWC members have a peer group that sees the value in sharing information and helping each other thrive. This has, in fact always been the most valuable purpose of NATWC for me. I know I have peers who are in this business for the right reasons and who are eager to help others achieve our common goal of helping families in need. If you are a member, take advantage of this community. If you are not, consider joining us. It could possibly be the smartest thing you do for your program this year.

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